Asia's diesel exports to Africa are set to hit at least a four-and-a-half-year high in August, data from ship trackers and trade sources showed, as African buyers sought alternative supplies following a fall in shipments from the Middle East.
The opportunity for Asia to send supplies to Africa came after the US-Iran war disrupted Middle East exports, while Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthis imposed a blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea and attacked Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery, causing a decline in Saudi exports to Africa.
Asia, including India, will ship 1.8-million to 2-million metric tons (13.4-million to 14.9-million barrels) of diesel to Africa this month, data from Kpler, Vortexa and one trade source showed.
Meanwhile, Middle East diesel exports to Africa in August fell to 600 000 to 800 000 tons, data from LSEG, Kpler and the trade source showed, the lowest in almost nine years, due to persistent shipping risks via the straits of Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz.
Last year, around 50% of Africa's imports came from the Middle East, according to Kpler data, with 40% of that from Saudi Arabia.
